also known as St. Mary's Church and St. Mary’s Garrison Church

Located in Crater on a hill overlooking the European Infantry Barracks and patcheries¹, construction of St. Mary's Garrison Church was completed in 1871 and it was consecrated by Bishop Douglas on 7th November² the same year. 

The Victorian Gothic style church with seating for 350 worshippers comprised a 44' x 30' nave, two 15' x 30' transepts, a 22' x 14' chancel and a 11' x 7½' vestry.

Appointed and paid by the Government, a chaplain held service once each Sunday and occasionally on weekdays. In his absence prayers were read by a garrison officer.

The novelist, Evelyn Waugh, who was in Aden in 1930, noted that the chaplain read services every Sunday, but in absolute void. The chaplain lived in a large, ramshackle house on Crater beach which was known by locals as 'Padre sahib's bungalow'.

St. Mary’s Garrison Church 1963

In more recent times it has been used for many purposes, apart from that as a church,  most recently for the Legislative Assembly Hall then as the Criminal Technical Investigation Department. In 2008 it is called the Legislative Council Building.

 
Former St. Mary’s Garrison Church 2005

This recent picture of the former church shows a much lower roof structure indicating that it may have incurred  structural damage. Riot perhaps, or maybe just old-age?

The out-buildings to the left have also been structurally modified but it's hard to see if the original buildings are intact behind these newer ones. The shrubbery has done well in 42 years.

Lt.Col. The Revd. Alexander Henley MacGuffie (b.circa 1888)

MacGuffie joined the  Aden Field Force in South Arabia in 1916 and commanded the Arab Labour Corps until 1920. After home leave he returned to Aden as Garrison Engineer and married Edel, a Danish missionary in Aden, in June 1922 before returning to England. He returned to Aden in the mission field on 31st May 1936, first attached to the Danish Mission.

In World War Two MacGuffie raised and commanded the Arab Pioneer Corps. He was ordained Deacon in Aden on 19 March 1944 and was Chaplain of St. Mary’s Garrison Church, Aden, 1945-50.  The church closed in 1950 and MacGuffie  established the House Church in the Mission Station. He left Aden in May 1952.